An Act to establish a legal framework for sustainable development, management and protection of the environment by the Environment Protection Authority in partnership with regulated Ministries and organizations and in close and responsive relationship with the people of Liberia; and to provide high quality information and advice on the state of the environment and for matters connected therewith.

An Act to establish a monitoring, coordinating and supervisory authority for sustainable management of the environment in partnership with regulated Ministries and organizations and in close and responsive relationship with the people of Liberia; and to provide high quality information and advice on the state of the environment and for matters connected therewith.

1986-10-20

LBR-1986-L-3552

LiberiaGeneral provisions

Act to repeal an Act amending the Labour Practices Law with respect to administration and enforcement, and to amend Decree No. 21 of the Interim National Assembly in connection therewith.Printed separately, 6 p.Labour Law (consolidated text), As enacted by the National Legislature, Reproduced by the Ministry of Labour, Liberia, pp. 187-192

Amends the New Judiciary Law of 1972 by adding a new Ch. 23 to provide for additional Labour Courts, which are to have their seats in each of the counties of the Republic. Defines the powers, jurisdiction and procedures of the Labour Court, and contains provisions on the qualifications, appointment and tenure of judges. The Board of General Appeals of the Ministry of Labour is abolished (s. 1).

Amended text(s):1985-12-24 (LBR-1985-L-5125)Interim National Assembly Decree No. 21 amending the Executive Law to extend the administrative powers and procedure of the Ministry of Labour, amending the Labour Law to extend the duties of the Labour Solicitor and amending the Judicial Law to establish a National Labour Court.

1985-12-24

LBR-1985-L-5125

LiberiaGeneral provisions

Interim National Assembly Decree No. 21 amending the Executive Law to extend the administrative powers and procedure of the Ministry of Labour, amending the Labour Law to extend the duties of the Labour Solicitor and amending the Judicial Law to establish a National Labour Court.Printed separately, 6 p.Labour Law (consolidated text), As enacted by the National Legislature, Reproduced by the Ministry of Labour, Liberia, pp. 182-186

Art. 1 defines the power of the Ministry to issue fines and regulations and spells out the jurisidiction and powers of hearing officers. It also governs time limits and other procedural matters. Prior to filing a complaint with the Ministry of Labour, an employee of an enterprise where a grievance committee has been established in accordance with s. 2001 of the Labour Practices Law must submit the complaint to that committee (s. 5). Art. II provides that the Labour Solicitor shall represent employees in all labour matters if they are unable to retain council. Art. III establishes the National Labour Court with its seat in Monrovia and contains provisions on its jurisdiction, judges, and procedures.

Amending text(s):1986-10-20 (LBR-1986-L-3552)Act to repeal an Act amending the Labour Practices Law with respect to administration and enforcement, and to amend Decree No. 21 of the Interim National Assembly in connection therewith.

The Constitution contains the following Chapters: I. Structure of the State; II. General Principles of National Policy; III. Fundamental Rights; IV. Citizenship; V. The Legislature; VI. The Executive; VII. The Judiciary; VIII. Political Parties and Elections; IX. Emergency Powers; X. Autonomous Public Commissions; XI. Miscellaneous; XII. Amendments; XIII. Transitional Provisions; and two Schedules. It abrogates the Constitution of 1847, which was suspended in 1980. In particular, Art. 8 of the new Constitution provides, "The Republic shall direct its policy towards ensuring for all citizens, without discrimination, opportunities for employment and livelihood under just and humane conditions, and towards promoting safety, health and welfare facilities in employment." Included in the Chapter on Fundamental Rights are a prohibition on slavery or forced labour, as defined therein (Art. 12), a guarantee of equal protection of the law (Art. 11), the right to assemble and to associate in trade unions and other organisations (Art. 17) and a provision that, "All Liberian citizens shall have equal opportunity for work and employment regardless of sex, creed, religion, ethnic background, place of origin or political affiliation, and all shall be entitled to equal pay for equal work". (Art. 18). Includes a "Simplified version" of the Constitution (20 p.).

Repealed text(s):1972-05-08 (LBR-1972-C-42815)Constitution of the Republic of Liberia (as amended through 8 May 1972).

Repealing text(s):1986-01-06 (LBR-1986-C-3557)Constitution of the Republic of Liberia.

1966-05-30

LBR-1966-L-57225

LiberiaLabour codes, general labour and employment acts

An Act to Amend the Labour Practices Law with Respect to Employment in General, 1966Printed separately, 16 p.

Adds several provisions to the Labour Practices Law, Title 18-A, of the Liberian Code of Laws of 1956. Makes additions to the labour law in order to provide for contracts of employment, oral contracts, the recruiting of workers, foreign employees, and employment services. Regulates contracts of apprenticeship and governs the protection of wages.

An Act to Govern the Devolution of Estates and Establish Rights of Inheritance for Spouses of Both Statutory and Customary Marriages.Act on-line, Refworld, United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) (PDF)(consulted on 2010-12-02)

Sets out the rights, duties and liabilities of husbands and wives in both civil and customary marriages.

Revised version of the Civil Procedure Law, as amended through 8 May 1972. Part I regulates procedures before trial, including arrest and questions of habeas corpus. Part II governs trial procedure, such as matters related to evidence and trial by jury. The enforcement of judgements and related matters are covered in Part III. Part IV relates to appellate procedure, and Part V covers special matters, including bonds and security.Date of entry into force: 1973-02-01

2008-07-22

LBR-2008-L-92351

LiberiaCriminal and penal law

Act to amend Chapter 14 and 15 Sub-Chapter C, Title 26 of the New Penal Law, 1976.Legislation on-line, United Nations Oceans and Laws of the Sea (PDF)(consulted on 2013-02-18)

Amends the New Penal Law by making the offences of armed robbery, hijacking and terrorism capital offences and sets out the penalties for violations of these provisions.

Provides a comprehensive system of penal law. Part I contains definitions of culpability and complicity, including corporate criminal liability (s. 3.2). Part II defines specific offenses, including offenses against civil rights (Chapter 13). Specifically, a person who commits an act of prejudice against another person because of their race, or the race of their spouse, is guilty of a first degree misdemeanor. Termination of an employee within sixty days of his marriage to a person of a different race shall give rise to the presumption that the termination was discriminatory because of the race of the spouse. Corporations guilty of two discrimination offences may be dissolved. Part III prescribes specific penalties and punishments, including the death penalty (s. 50.5).

Amending text(s):2008-07-22 (LBR-2008-L-92351)Act to amend Chapter 14 and 15 Sub-Chapter C, Title 26 of the New Penal Law, 1976.

2005-12-29 (LBR-2005-L-85440)An Act to Amend the New Penal Code Chapter 14 Sections 14.70 and 14.71 and to Provide for Gang Rape.

Criminal Procedure Law as revised through 8 May 1972. Part I contains general provisions, including rights of the defendant set forth in Chapter 2: e.g. the presumption of his or her innocence, the right to adequate legal representation, and the right to be present at court proceedings. Chapter 8 relates to extraditions. Part II covers procedure in criminal action, including arrests, warrants, and process against corporations. Part III governs sentencing. S. 31.3 provides for indefinite sentences (within the maximum term provided by statute) for felonies punishable by more than one year's imprisonment. The minimum term for a life sentence is ten years.Date of entry into force: 1973-02-01

The provisions of this title govern the procedure in criminal proceedings in all courts of the Republic of Liberia except where a different procedure is expressly provided by statute or rule of court (Article 1).

An Act to Establish the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Liberia 2005.Act on-line, Refworld, United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) (PDF)(consulted on 2010-12-02)

Establishes the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Liberia. The objective of the TRC is to "promote national peace, security, unity and reconciliation by:Investigating gross human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law as well as abuses that occurred, including massacres, sexual violations, murder, extra-judicial killings and economic crimes, such as the exploitation of natural or public resources to perpetuate armed conflicts, during the period January 1979 to October 14, 2003; determining whether these were isolated incidents or part of a systematic pattern; establishing the antecedents, circumstances factors and context of such violations and abuses; and determining those responsible for the commission of the violations and abuses and their motives as well as their impact on victims." (section 4)

2005-03-11

LBR-2005-L-85442

LiberiaHuman rights

An Act to Repeal the Act of 1997 Creating the Liberia Commission on Human Rights and to Create the Independent National Commission on Human Rights of Liberia 2005.Act on-line, Refworld, United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) (PDF)(consulted on 2010-12-02)

Repeals the 1997 Act and replaces the Commission with the Independant National Commission on Human Rights.

Ministry of Labour Regulations on Collective Bargaining and Representation Elections.Labour Law (consolidated text), As enacted by the National Legislature, Reproduced by the Ministry of Labour, Liberia, pp. 193-198

Establishes procedures for collective bargaining and the elections of workers' representatives for the purposes of collective bargaining.

Establishes the National Aids Commission, sets out its composition, functions and responsibilities. Part of this is the establishment of a national AIDS policy for the workplace which is to be drafted in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders.

An Act to Amend the Public Health Law, Title 33, Liberian Code of Laws Revised (1976) to create a new Chapter 18 which provides for the control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

People's Redemption Council Decree No. 35 repealing the Act creating the Ministry of Labour, Youth and Sports and Amending the Executive Law to create the Ministry of Labour.Labour Law (consolidated text), As enacted by the National Legislature, Reproduced by the Ministry of Labour, Liberia, pp. 180-181

Provides for the creation of the Ministry of Labour, its Minister, Deputy Minister and Assistant Ministers and sets out their functions.

1972-05-26

LBR-1972-L-57226

LiberiaLabour administration

An Act to Amend the Labour Practices Law with Respect to Administration and Enforcement, 1972Printed separately, 3 p.

Amends the Labour Practices Law in order to provide for appeals. Creates the General Appeals Board within the Ministry of Labour and Youth for this purpose. Establishes appeal procedures and regulate the conduct of proceedings.

An Act to Amend the Public Health Law, Title 33, Liberian Code of Laws Revised (1976) to create a new Chapter 18 which provides for the control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Provides comprehensive legislation on matters relating to public health, including control of diseases, environmental sanitation, and regulation of drugs. Part IV regulates health standards, and requires, inter alia, persons hired for specified public sector positions (e.g. teachers, civil servants, members of the armed forces) to undergo a medical exam (Chapter 32). Part VII contains provisions governing the registration and licensing of health professionals and pharmacies.

Implements the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, done at Geneva on the 28th of July, 1951 and its January 1967 Protocol as well as the Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, done at Addis Ababa on the 10th of September, 1969. Establishes the Liberia Refugee, Repatriation and Resettlement Commission, provides for its composition, powers and functions.

Regulates investigations of accidents and death aboard ships. All accidents resulting in material damage, loss of life or incapacitation of a person for more than 72 hours shall be reported. Sets forth powers and duties of investigating officers and regulates investigation and hearing procedures. Made under the Liberian Maritime Law.

Provides comprehensive legislation for the operation of ships registered in Liberia. Chapters 1 through 9 cover administrative matters, including the establishment of a Commissioner for Maritime Affairs (s. 11), vessel registration, mortgages and maritime liens, carriage of cargo and passengers, limitation of liability for maritime claims, rules of navigation, and wrecks and salvage. Chapter 10 governs matters related to merchant seafarers, including wages, discharge, paid leave, accident and death on board, disciplinary measures, hours of work and overtime. Minimum age at sea (with certain exceptions) is set at 15 (s. 326). Corporal punishment is prohibited by s. 345. S. 353 provides for the freedom of association; s. 358 allows strikes and picketing, provided that such actions are approved by a majority of employees in a secret ballot and means of arbitration have been exhausted. Procedures for mediation and arbitration are contained in s. 359.

Provides guidelines relating to the certification of crew members. Inter alia, sets forth which functions certain classes of officers may perform and establishes penalties for misrepresentation or fraud in relation to skill certification. Also sets forth requirements for officer licenses, including service experience, physical examinations and fire fighting training.

Sets forth certification and training requirements for watchkeeping aboard ships. Prohibits assignment of watchkeeping duties in conjunction with other tasks which may create distractions or cause fatigue.

1992-07-16

LBR-1992-M-42806

LiberiaSeafarers - Recruitment and job placement

Reporting License and Special Qualification Fraud and any Indication of lack of Professional Qualifications or Insufficient Technical Skills (M.N. No. 9-250-5).Maritime Law, Regulations, Notices and Requirements, 1993, Bureau of Maritime Affairs, Republic of Liberia, 2 p.

Encourages shipowners to report incidences of crew members who fraudulently claim special skills.

1989-03

LBR-1989-L-57224

LiberiaSeafarers - Conditions of work: articles of agreement, wages, hours of work and paid leave

Proposed Conditions of Employment of the National Seamen, Ports and General Workers' Union of Liberia to Foreign Shipowners for the Liberia Seafarers, 1989Unofficial English translation, 23 p.

Establishes working conditions for the employment of all personnel on board ships flying the Liberian flag and for Liberian seafarers employed in foreign ships. These govern wages, working hours, leave, public holidays, overtime, and deductions. Establishes the amount of disability benefits payable to injured workers. Establishes minimum wage rates for specific occupations. Provides for discipline of workers. Governs medical treatment and sick leave. Provides for the termination of employment. Establishes the constitution of the Joint Maritime Industrial Committee. Governs the committee's membership, meetings, officers and voting procedures.

Requires masters of passenger ships to report any incidence of fire within 12 hours of the occurence of the fire.

1992

LBR-1992-M-42802

LiberiaSeafarers - Occupational safety and health and welfare

Implementation of Amendments to the International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea 1974 (SOLAS 1974) (M.N. No. 2-081-12).Maritime Law, Regulations, Notices and Requirements, 1993, Bureau of Maritime Affairs, Republic of Liberia, 7 p.

Requests owners of cargo and passenger ships to put into force amendments to SOLAS 1974. Inter alia, requires shipowners to install water leakage detection systems, a two-way radio telephone apparatus, and to maintain specified numbers of liferafts and immersion suits.

Requires shipowners to present their vessels for initial and annual inspections in a timely manner. Nautical inspectors have powers to inspect all ship records, emergency devices and safety conditions.

1976

LBR-1976-L-85446

LiberiaFishers

Laws on Marine Fisheries (Title 24 of the Liberian Code of Laws).Act on-line, FAOLEX (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations) (PDF)(consulted on 2010-12-03)

The Law applies to fishing in salt and fresh water. The text consists of 11 sections: Licences for captains or owners of fishing trawlers or sports fishermen (sect. 90); registration of boats for fishing (sect. 91); licence plates for boats for fishing (sect. 92); gear on fishing boats (sect. 93); use of dynamite (sect. 94); placing harmful substances in streams (sect. 95); nets and seines (sect. 96); crabs and lobsters found with eggs (sect. 97); personnel of Bureau of Fisheries on fishing boats (sect. 98); zones of fishing areas (sect. 99); reports by licensed fishermen (sect. 100); penalty for violations (sect. 101).No fishing in marine or freshwater shall be done without a licence issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenues upon presentation of a certificate of the Bureau of Fisheries of the Department of Agriculture and Commerce and the payment of the fees specified in section 90. All fishing vessels and gear shall be registered with the Bureau of Fisheries. The Bureau of Fisheries may prohibit fishing in any area with any type of gear which it finds harmful to the fish resources of that area (sect. 93). Provisions of section 99 empower the Department of Agriculture and Commerce to divide fishing areas of Liberia into zones and to close fishing areas for purposes of fish protection.

1973-04-11

LBR-1973-L-85448

LiberiaAgriculture workers

Act to amend the Agricultural Law to provide for the prevention of water pollution and to protect the marine life within the rivers and streams of the Republic.Act on-line, FAOLEX (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations) (PDF)(consulted on 2010-12-03)

Section 1.4 of the Agricultural Law, relative to authority and responsibility of the Minister of Agriculture, is amended by adding thereto a new subsection (k) which reads as follows: (k) Upon approval of the President, promulgate rules and regulations pertaining to the protection of the marine life within rivers and streams and the prevention of water pollution within the Republic. (2 sections)

Amended text(s):1973-02-15 (LBR-1973-L-85447)Agricultural Law (Title 3 of the Revised Liberian Code of Laws).

1983-05-25

LBR-1983-R-42811

LiberiaPublic and civil servants

Standing Orders for the Civil Service.Standing Orders for the Civil Service, 1983, Civil Service Agency, Republic of Liberia, 44 p.

Provides comprehensive regulations governing employment in the civil service. Chapter 1 outlines the responsibilities of the Civil Service Agency, including the filling of vacant positions with qualified personnel and the maintanence of employee records. Chapter 2 contains definitions. Chapter 3 governs appointments. All appointments shall be channelled through the Civil Service Agency, and appointees must have passed the civil service examination. Disciplinary matters are contained in Chapter 4, including penalties for specified offences. Chapter 5 covers salaries and attendance, and sets hours of work at seven hours a day. Chapter 6 regulates grievance procedures, including matters related to the Board of Appeals. Annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave and other forms of paid leave are treated in Chapter 7. Chapter 8 regulates performance appraisals.